Shadow Of The Past | ✔️

82| "Sucks to suck"

ACE:

As we strolled through the bustling mall, Naomi's hand nestled comfortably in mine, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. The vibrant energy of the crowd around us seemed to fade into the background as we focused on each other.

Naomi led the way through the clothing racks, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she browsed through the latest styles. I happily trailed behind her, offering to hold the items she selected as she examined each piece with care.

With her chosen items draped over my shoulder, I couldn't help but steal glances at Naomi as she moved gracefully through the aisles. Her effortless beauty and confident demeanor never failed to captivate me, and I felt a swell of pride knowing that she was mine.

~

NAOMI

Now we were back at the house, getting ready to head down to a waterfall.

My phone started ringing, and Ace's mom's name flashed on the screen. I answered the call, greeted by the cheerful faces of my kids.

"Hey Mom!" Amara's voice chimed through the phone.

"Hi baby."

"How's it going?" I asked.

"It's going really, really well. And you two, having fun?" Amara replied.

"Yeah, we just got back from Disneyland and now we're gonna go get dinner," she said.

"Wow, sounds like fun," I replied.

"Yeah, it is. And Mom, you won't believe it," Amara continued.

"What?" I asked eagerly.

"Kai said his first word," she announced, and my jaw dropped.

"You're joking! Really?" I exclaimed.

"Yeah," Amara confirmed.

"What did he say?" I asked, excitement bubbling within me.

"My name!" Amara said proudly, and my jaw dropped even further.

"Ace! Kai said Amara's name first," I yelled, and Ace came running in shortly after.

"What do you mean? He was supposed to say 'dada,'" Ace protested.

Amara burst into laughter.

"Well, he didn't, Dad. Sucks to suck," she teased.

"I told you he'd say it first. We have a video if you don't believe me," Amara added.

"Send it now, please," I requested eagerly.

After hanging up, my hands found their way to my hips as we waited for the video proof.

"How was his sister's name the first thing he says? I thought it would be 'mama.' Hell, I took out five minutes of my day, practicing with him, and he almost said it," I marveled, still shocked but smiling.

Ace chuckled in response.

"Yeah, I heard you guys. Funniest thing ever. You got so frustrated when he would say it but not quite yet," Ace recalled, prompting me to playfully hit his chest with mine.

Suddenly, a ping came from my phone, indicating that the video had been sent along with a message that read, "I want my 100 bucks." I couldn't help but laugh.

"Haha shes got you," I teased Ace.

We watched the video together, and as Kai uttered "Mara," Amara erupted with joy. Seeing her excitement made me forget any disappointment about his first word not being "mama." important

~

Then we reached the waterfall, finding ourselves alone in its tranquil beauty.

I wrapped my arms around Ace's neck, my legs encircling his waist as we stood in the refreshing mist of the cascading water. Ace's hands rested gently on my thighs, pulling me closer as we reveled in the serenity of the moment.

As we stood beneath the waterfall, the cool water cascading around us, I felt a profound sense of connection with Ace. The roar of the water was a soothing backdrop to our intimate moment, and the tranquility of our surroundings mirrored the peace I felt in Ace's arms.

I leaned in closer, my cheek resting against Ace's, savoring the closeness we shared. His touch was comforting, his presence grounding. In that moment, surrounded by nature's beauty and the warmth of our love, I felt truly content.

Ace turned his head slightly, his lips brushing against my ear. "This is perfect." he murmured, his voice filled with awe.

I nodded against his shoulder, unable to find words that could capture the depth of my emotions. The rush of the waterfall drowned out any need for conversation, leaving us to communicate through touch and shared experience.

Ace's hands moved gently along my back, his touch sending shivers down my spine. With each caress, I felt more connected to him, more aware of the love that bound us together.

As we lingered beneath the waterfall, time seemed to stand still. There was only Ace, the water, and the overwhelming sense of peace that enveloped us. In that moment, I knew that our journey together was just beginning, and I couldn't wait to see what adventures awaited us next.

~

As we drove back to pick up the kids, Ace's hand entwined with mine, I couldn't help but feel a surge of nostalgia as our favorite songs played in the background. The familiar tunes brought back memories of our teenage years, when we first discovered our shared love for music and each other.

I sang along to the lyrics, my voice filling the car with a sense of joy and warmth. Beside me, Ace softly recited the words, his hand occasionally tapping the steering wheel to the beat. It was a simple moment, yet it held a profound significance for both of us.

As the music played, I stole glances at Ace, his profile illuminated by the soft glow of the dashboard lights. His eyes were fixed on the road ahead, a small smile playing on his lips. I marveled at how far we had come together, from carefree teenagers making music in his parents' garage to this moment, sharing our journey as husband and wife.

The songs seemed to bridge the gap between past and present, weaving a tapestry of memories that underscored our deep connection. With each note and every shared glance, I felt a profound sense of gratitude for the love we had built over the years.

As the last chords of our favorite song faded away, I squeezed Ace's hand, silently conveying the depth of my emotions.

~